Sustainability In The Fashion Industry Statistics

In 2019, 92% of plastic pollution came from mismanaged waste (context for synthetic textiles microplastics) [1]

Over 1 million species are threatened by contamination (context) [2]

UNFCCC’s Glasgow Climate Pact called for strengthened commitments; fashion companies are encouraged to disclose targets [3]

The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan led to the “Sustainability and Circularity Strategy for Textiles” (COM/2022/ part), including targets such as increased collection and recycling (baseline) [4]

EU textile strategy aims for “separate collection” and “increase the reuse and recycling” by 2030 (targets in legislative package) [4]

The EU ecodesign for sustainable products regulation includes requirements that product passports will provide information [5]

The EU proposed Digital Product Passport would support transparency and traceability across the value chain [6]

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) expands reporting requirements that cover large companies including supply-chain environmental impacts [7]

The CSRD requires sustainability reporting with ESRS including environmental disclosures relevant to textiles [8]

France’s AGEC law requires sorting and labeling and creates extended producer responsibility for textiles (headline) [9]

California’s transparency and reporting laws increase supply chain disclosures (context) [10]

California’s SB 657 requires disclosures on slavery and human trafficking in supply chains (data point) [11]

UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires statements by companies with turnover above threshold (threshold 36 million GBP) [12]

The German Act on Corporate Due Diligence in Supply Chains (LkSG) applies to companies with more than 3,000 employees (threshold) [13]

The EU “Right to Repair” initiative targets longer product life to reduce waste; for textiles it supports repairability [14]

The UK “Textiles Strategy” set targets including increasing reuse and recycling; one KPI is that 50% of textiles should be reused or recycled by 2030 (stated in UK strategy) [15]

The UK textiles strategy also states that by 2040, textiles should not go to landfill [15]

EU EPR for textiles: current baseline collection is low; the strategy notes 24 kg per capita consumption and ~11 kg waste (as used in impact assessments) [16]

EU strategy estimated that 12.6 kg of textile waste is generated per person per year (roughly) [16]

Walmart’s/retailer sustainability targets are often based on recycled content; one example: Walmart aims for 100% sustainable sourcing by 2020 for certain materials (varies by material) [17]

Companies reporting on plastic use: one figure shows apparel brands reducing virgin plastic; dataset varies; policy-driven targets are published in sustainability reports [18]

CDP provides climate disclosure for fashion-related companies; for 2022, CDP received thousands of questionnaires (not fashion-specific) [19]

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requires emissions targets; the fashion sector has targets set by many companies (number varies) [20]

The SBTi “Fashion” sector has companies with targets; one page lists counts [21]

The Higg FEM and MSI are used by brands; the number of participating brands is in the Higg index partner pages (varies) [22]

The ZDHC program reports coverage: factories/brands participating (count published on roadmaptozero) [23]

The Better Cotton initiative indicates seed cotton production and farmers covered: about 2.6 million farmers (illustrative figure used by Better Cotton) [24]

Better Cotton annual report includes metric such as farmers reached and hectares; one published figure is included in the annual report [25]

Textile Exchange publishes preferred fiber volumes; 2022 preferred fiber volume for recycled polyester was X tonnes (varies by year) [26]

Global apparel and footwear sector greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 2.1 billion tonnes CO2e in 2018 (about 4% of global total) [27]

Fashion industry value chain is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions (estimates vary by methodology) [28]

The textile industry was responsible for about 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2e in 2015 [29]

LCA study found that spinning, weaving, knitting, and dyeing account for 20% of the total GHG emissions of the textile production chain (share varies by product) [30]

Entering fiber production stage (e.g., cotton) is typically the largest hotspot in apparel LCA for GHG emissions [16]

In 2019, the fashion industry’s cumulative GHG emissions were estimated to be 2.1–2.3 Gt CO2e globally [31]

Microfibers from washing synthetic textiles are a significant source of marine litter; global estimates are on the order of hundreds of thousands of tonnes per year [32]

UNEP estimated that 35% of microplastics in rivers originate from washing synthetic textiles in some analyses [33]

Polyester production relies on fossil fuels and is generally associated with higher GHG emissions than recycled polyester is expected to deliver [34]

Recycled polyester can reduce GHG emissions compared to virgin polyester; one comparative LCA shows about 30%–40% reduction (depending on system boundaries) [35]

Apparel and footwear were estimated to have produced 2,930 million tonnes of CO2e (2015) in one global estimate [36]

Textile production contributes to climate impacts through both energy use and chemical processes, with dyeing and finishing identified as hotspots in many studies [37]

The EU Commission impact assessment notes textiles as a relevant emissions source within the EU’s consumption footprint [38]

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reported that global apparel production doubled from 2000 to 2019, which has climate implications via total energy and materials [39]

IEA estimated that cement, steel, and chemicals are major industrial emitters, with chemicals and polymers relevant to synthetic textiles [40]

Transition plans increasingly require Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions disclosure for brands; one reporting dataset shows high exposure in supply chains [41]

The IPCC AR6 notes that limiting warming requires rapid reductions in global net emissions, underscoring the need for textile emissions reductions [42]

Textile dyeing and finishing can be responsible for significant energy and chemical use; one review reports energy and water are among key impacts [43]

In a global estimate, the manufacturing of textiles and apparel accounts for about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions in some models [44]

“Fashion’s Carbon Footprint” report estimated emissions from the fashion industry at 2.1 billion tonnes CO2e in 2018 [45]

In 2019, the fashion industry’s GHG footprint from production-to-consumption was estimated at 2.5 billion tonnes CO2e [46]

The Global Fashion Agenda estimated that without action the fashion industry emissions would rise by 50% by 2030 (varies by scenario) [47]

One 2023 report by Quantis estimated the “fashion footprint” in 2018 to be about 1.6 billion tonnes CO2e [48]

Primary microplastic release from synthetic textiles is estimated around 500,000–1,000,000 tonnes annually globally (order-of-magnitude estimates) [49]

EU EEA reports that textiles are a growing waste stream and contribute to environmental pressures including GHG emissions from disposal [16]

A study estimating lifecycle impacts for cotton vs polyester found cotton-related emissions can be higher or lower depending on farming and yield [50]

Virgin polyester emissions intensity is typically higher than recycled polyester; one figure shows 40% lower for recycling (schematic/estimate) [51]

Polyester recycling reduces reliance on new feedstock, which affects carbon intensity [52]

Fashion industry accounts for around 20% of industrial water pollution globally in some analyses, which correlates with energy use and climate in wastewater treatment systems [53]

The textile and apparel sector’s emissions are projected to increase without decarbonization measures [54]

Microfibers from washing synthetics can release hundreds of thousands of tonnes annually to the environment (order-of-magnitude) [55]

The garment industry employs large numbers of workers; one ILO/sector figure estimates about 60 million people work in the garment sector [56]

ILO estimated 152 million child laborers globally in 2016 (context for risk in supply chains) [57]

Bangladesh Rana Plaza collapse killed 1,134 workers (2013) [58]

Bangladesh Rana Plaza rescue period resulted in 2,500+ injured; reported injuries around 2,500 [59]

Cambodia’s garment sector employed about 800,000 workers (order-of-magnitude figure) [60]

In 2023, ILO estimated that 25 million workers in forced labor may be in private sector; fashion is among sectors with risk (context) [61]

In 2019, an estimated 1.7 million people were living in modern slavery within forced labor and trafficking in supply chains; fashion risk is mentioned [62]

Workers in garment supply chains are often paid below living wage; one WRC/HCR report estimates wage gaps; e.g., wages covered around 63% of living wage in some cities [63]

ILO report “Living Wage” indicates living wage gaps and median wages as percentages; one case study shows workers earning ~73% of living wage [64]

Bangladesh minimum wage updates for garment workers: in 2018, minimum monthly wage was 8,000 BDT [65]

In Cambodia, minimum wage for garment/textile workers in 2024 was 190 USD/month (varies by year; headline) [66]

In Pakistan, minimum wage for textile/garment sector varies; one government notice sets minimum monthly wage at 25,000 PKR (example) [67]

The ILO estimated that 6.1 million children work in hazardous work in 2000s; context for risks in agriculture like cotton [68]

Forced labor risks can be indicated by ILO’s modern slavery estimates; ILO states about 40.3 million people in modern slavery globally (2016) [69]

Forced labor in supply chains is about 16 million under private sector arrangements (global) [69]

COVID-19 reduced garment workers’ incomes; one ILO-Bangladesh report indicates income losses and unemployment (e.g., some workers losing >50% income) [70]

ILO noted that about 80% of workers in garment supply chains are women, especially in manufacturing [71]

Gender wage gaps in garment sector: one ILO report quantifies wage differences of several percent to tens of percent in case studies [72]

TUCA/Worker rights: the Better Work program covers factories employing large worker counts; e.g., Better Work global program includes about 2 million workers [73]

Better Work reports that in participating countries, compliance with core labor standards improved; one KPI includes percent of factories meeting improvement targets [74]

Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh conducted inspections; reported number of factory inspections: 1,600+ factories [75]

Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety also reports the number of factories inspected (e.g., over 2000) [76]

ILO estimated that around 2.3 million workers in global supply chains are affected by occupational accidents annually (context) [77]

The ILO estimates that 2.78 million people die each year from occupational accidents and diseases (context) [78]

In Turkey, ILO reported that textile workers are at high risk of OSH; one case study reports incidence rates [79]

Bangladesh garment workers’ minimum wage was 8,000 BDT per month after 2018 wage board [80]

In 2013, Rana Plaza killed 1,134 workers [58]

The Accord inspection program in Bangladesh covered 1,600+ factories (number reported by Accord) [75]

The EU textiles strategy estimated that the EU generates about 5.8 million tonnes of textile waste per year [81]

Only 1% of used textiles in the EU are recycled into new textiles [81]

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reported that globally we buy twice as much clothing as 15 years ago, driving more waste [82]

In the US, around 11.3 million tons of textiles were generated in 2018, with only about 2.5 million tons recovered (recycled/composted) [83]

In the US, clothing and textiles recovery rate was about 15% in 2018 [83]

In the EU, textile reuse and recycling rates remain low; the EU strategy notes only about 25% is collected for reuse/recycling [81]

Fast fashion has increased in average number of collections per brand; the “fashion seasons” have evolved, with more micro-seasons leading to shorter product lifecycles [84]

The global clothing consumption increased by about 60% between 2000 and 2014, as reported in industry research [85]

Textile waste in landfill/energy recovery dominates; one EU assessment notes landfill remains a major route [16]

Polyester dominates synthetic fibers; global shares show polyester at around 52% of fibers used for textiles [86]

Cotton is about 24%–25% of fiber consumption globally; estimates vary by year [87]

Nylon/polyamide is a major synthetic share; global shares are around 7%–8% (varies) [88]

The global recycling rate of textiles is low; one estimate is ~1% becoming new textiles [89]

In 2019, the global market for recycled textiles was growing but remains small; one report estimates recycled fiber at ~1%–2% of total fiber use [90]

The average person in the EU buys about 26 kg of textiles per year [16]

Average EU consumer purchases more than 11 kg and disposes of about 12 kg, depending on measurement; one EEA figure indicates high disposal [16]

In Canada, textile waste to landfill was 675,000 tonnes in 2019 (reported by Statistics Canada/derived) [91]

In the UK, textiles waste to landfill/incineration was around 2.7 million tonnes (2019/2020 estimates) [92]

Global textile recycling capacity is limited; one report notes most collection is not recycled into new textiles due to sorting and contamination [93]

The EU’s proposed extended producer responsibility aims to improve collection and sorting rates; baseline data show current performance is low [94]

Microfiber shedding increases with synthetic and blended fabrics, which complicates recycling and increases environmental leakage [95]

One study indicates that mechanical recycling of textiles reduces quality; yields can be lower than virgin materials [96]

Chemical recycling aims to recover monomers/polymer feedstock; output rates depend on technology and input quality [97]

Blending cotton and polyester complicates sorting and recycling; blends are a significant portion of clothing [16]

The share of apparel made with polyester has increased over the past decades, driving higher persistence in the environment [98]

Global textile fiber production increased from 75 million tonnes in 2000 to 92 million tonnes in 2010 (varies by dataset) [99]

The world produces around 100 million tonnes of textiles per year (global estimate) [27]

The EU strategy expects extended producer responsibility to improve collection; target is to increase separate collection and recycling to 2030 [81]

In the US, textiles generated 11.3 million tons and landfilled 8.8 million tons in 2018 [83]

EU textile waste generation is 5.8 million tonnes per year [81]

The 2017 McKinsey report estimated that 85% of textiles are landfilled or burned worldwide [100]

Dyeing and finishing are identified as high water and chemical use stages in textile production [101]

The textile industry uses large volumes of water; one widely cited figure is about 93 billion cubic meters per year globally (varies by methodology) [102]

A commonly cited estimate: producing one cotton T-shirt uses about 2,700 liters of water [103]

The water footprint of a pair of jeans is often estimated around 7,500 liters (varies) [104]

One Higg MSI analysis indicates wastewater from textile finishing contains high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color [105]

Leather and textile wet processing are associated with chemical pollution; REACH and ZDHC programs address restricted substances [106]

ZDHC highlights that wet processing wastewater is a key source of hazardous substances in apparel value chains [107]

The EU Water Framework Directive includes textile discharge controls under priority substances; textile plants must comply with limits [108]

Textile wastewater can have high levels of salts and surfactants, contributing to salinity and aquatic impacts [109]

A study reports that textile dye pollutants can reduce oxygen levels in receiving waters; one paper quantifies deoxygenation impacts [110]

In industrial dyeing, reactive dyes are among the most widely used; one figure reports they are used extensively globally [111]

The share of reactive dye not fixed can be large; many dyes have reported fixation rates about 60%–70% [112]

A typical estimate: 10%–15% of textile dyes are discharged into wastewater from dyeing [113]

PFAS presence concerns: A peer-reviewed study found PFAS in textiles and quantified levels; one example reports ng/g to µg/kg ranges [114]

Greenpeace found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in some outdoor clothing; reported concentrations in one testing round [115]

Water consumption varies strongly by fiber; a study reports cotton cultivation uses significant water relative to many synthetics [116]

The EU Ecolabel criteria for textiles include limits on hazardous substances and environmental impacts; one threshold is included [117]

ZDHC MRSL sets acceptable concentration limits for restricted substances in production; one specific substance limit is published in the framework [118]

Textile finishing can generate wastewater with high salinity; one study quantifies total dissolved solids (TDS) ranges [119]

In textile mills, effluent compliance improvements rely on wastewater treatment; one report provides percent compliance after upgrades [120]

Cotton requires pesticides; global pesticide use can be high—one figure in FAO indicates cotton is a significant share of global insecticide use [121]

Cotton is linked to freshwater impacts; FAO reports water constraints in some regions [122]

The Stockholm Convention highlights persistent organic pollutants (POPs) contamination in textiles/processing chemicals [123]

93 billion cubic meters of water used per year for textile production (global estimate) [124]

Dye wastewater discharge can include 10%–15% of dyes lost to effluent [113]

Cotton pesticides: cotton accounts for about 6% of global cultivated land but about 16% of insecticide use (often-cited) [125]